Square Based: A Warhammer Fantasy in the Old World

Latest Episodes:

Tomb Kings of Khemri List Building Strategies | Warhammer the Old World | Deep Dive Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Dust off your chariots and sharpen your khopesh, because your hosts Rob and Val are taking you on a long-awaited DEEP DIVE into the Tomb Kings Grand Army for 2025!

With the new Match Play Guide changing the face of the battlefield, this isn't just any review; it's a whole new expedition into the Land of the Dead. We're cracking open the ancient seals to look at everything, from the powerful army-wide rules to every single dusty unit in the roster. Is the Necrosphinx still a top-tier terror? Can a block of humble skeletons actually win you the game now? Is Val's new hat secretly powered by the Casket of Souls?

CHAPTERS

0:00 - Introduction & Banter
3:09 - Community Updates & Upcoming Events
8:19 - Tomb Kings Army Overview (TL:DR)
9:54 - The Impact of the Match Play Guide

*Army and Special Rules*
12:47 - Grand Army Composition
15:44 - Army Special Rules (Arrows of Asaph, Cleaving Blow, Unstable & more!)
32:57 - The Lore of Nehekhara

*Magic Items*
40:38 - Magic Weapons
45:44 - Magic Armour
47:53 - Talismans
50:07 - Magic Standards
53:54 - Enchanted Items
57:26 - Arcane Items

*Characters*
1:02:10 - Monarchs of Nehekhara (Tomb King & Tomb Prince)
1:04:56 - Character Mounts & The Necrolith Bone Dragon
1:13:13 - Royal Herald
1:18:02 - Liche Priest (High Priest & Mortuary Priest)
1:26:26 - Necrotect

*Units*
1:31:20 - Skeleton Warriors
1:34:48 - Skeleton Archers
1:36:37 - Skeleton Skirmishers
1:38:26 - Skeleton Horsemen
1:40:21 - Skeleton Horse Archers
1:41:18 - Skeletal Chariots
1:44:46 - Tomb Swarms
1:45:50 - Carrion
1:47:52 - Tomb Guard
1:52:55 - Sepulchral Stalkers
1:56:16 - Necropolis Knights
2:00:32 - Ushabti
2:04:47 - Tomb Scorpion
2:07:20 - Khemrian Warsphinx
2:10:19 - Necrolith Colossus
2:12:05 - Necrosphinx
2:15:29 - Screaming Skull Catapult
2:18:32 - Casket of Souls

2:23:40 - Final Thoughts & Summary

MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

► *Rob's Old World EVENTS in Nottingham!* https://tsnarena.com/events/category/the-old-world/

► *The Square Based Open Toronto! Oct 18-19! Get Yer Tickets!* https://tinyurl.com/Square-Based-Open-Toronto-2025

► *The California Cup in Los Angeles ! Nov 14-16!* https://greenbannereventco.com/product-category/california-cup/

► Support us on PATREON and join us on Discord: https://www.patreon.com/Squarebased

► Always up to date online rules resource for Old World: tow.whfb.app

MERCH!
https://thehonestwargamer.com/product-category/square-based/

Square Based terrain maps and resources:
https://thehonestwargamer.com/the-old-world-terrain-guidelines/

Youtube Music Playlist for Audio Only:
https://tinyurl.com/SB-YouTube-Music-Playlist

Podcast on all other Platforms:
https://squarebasedpodcast.podbean.com/

#squarebased #warhammertheoldworld #warhammerfantasy

You Won't Believe the Shocking Old World Stats in 2025 | Warhammer the Old World | Square Based Show Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

It's time for the numbers! In this episode, Rob and Val dive deep into the tournament results for Warhammer: The Old World since the release of the Match Play Guide. We've got the graphs and stats to break it all down!

We'll explore why stats matter, our methodology for collecting data, and then get into the good stuff: Which armies are the most popular? Which factions have the highest win rates? And what is the "Positive Win Rate Potential" (PWRP) of your favorite army (and what is Positive Win Rate Potential anyway)? From the dominance of Grand Cathay to the struggles of the Skaven, we cover it all!

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction & The Current State of the Game
2:12 - Summer Catch-up & Tournament Anxiety
7:38 - Why Stats Matter in Wargaming
17:30 - Our Data Methodology Explained
25:08 - Faction Representation in the Meta (Meta Rep)
52:25 - Faction Win Rates & The Overperformers
1:05:00 - Factions That Need Help
1:09:51 - Positive Win Rate Potential (PWRP)
1:21:00 - Final Analysis & Community Call to Action

MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

► Come Play in Toronto! Tickets are available for the *Square Based Open* on October 18th & 19th: https://tinyurl.com/Square-Based-Open-Toronto-2025

► *Rob's Old World EVENTS* in Nottingham! https://tsnarena.com/events/category/the-old-world/

► *The California Cup* in Los Angeles! Nov 14-16! https://greenbannereventco.com/product-category/california-cup/

► Check out the excellent community resource *Old World Rankings*: https://www.old-world-rankings.com

► A big thank you to *Warhammer Rob (the best Rob)* for his work on the stats!

► Listen to Peter the Falcon's podcast, *That Old World Charm*: https://oldworldcharm.podbean.com/

► Missed our *Cathay Lore video?* Watch it here: https://youtu.be/iOC6jy6SJCI?si=THfdvKK6cSJ076MJ

*MERCH!*
https://thehonestwargamer.com/product-category/square-based/

Square Based terrain maps and resources:
https://thehonestwargamer.com/the-old-world-terrain-guidelines/

Youtube Music Playlist for Audio Only:
https://tinyurl.com/SB-YouTube-Music-Playlist

Podcast on all other Platforms:
https://squarebasedpodcast.podbean.com/

#squarebased #warhammertheoldworld #warhammerfantasy

Controversial Narrative Changes or Secret Spoilers? | Warhammer the Old World | Square Based Show Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Rob and Val are back with another patent-pending LORE video, this time deep-diving the Grand Cathay book to answer the eternal question: WHAT'S GOING ON WITH CATHAYAN LOGISTICS?

The Old World is a mess. The Empire's leadership is distracted, the Elves are ignoring their DMs, and Frydaal the Chainmaker is having the time of her life carving up the Westerlands. With no one else stepping up, it's time for the Dragon siblings to assemble a fleet, awaken some Terracotta Sentinels, and sail halfway across the world to sort everyone out.

Join us as we talk geopolitics, the economics of the Old Silk Road, why there are so many boats, and whether or not Vampirates are confirmed (they are).

Chapters:

00:00 Cold Open & What's Up Beijing?
01:45 Man o' War & Dan Abnett's "Fell Cargo"
04:26 Hot Topic: A Wedding Outfit
05:54 Show Updates: Bat Rep Room & Tournaments
11:04 Lore Intro: Turmoil in the Old World
19:20 The Withering of the Laurelorn Forest
24:46 Portents of Ruination
29:22 A Growing Shadow in Northern Cathay
41:48 Diplomacy of the Dragon: Cathay & The Old World
51:24 The Great Trade Routes
01:08:00 The Jade Fleet & The Elves of Ulthuan
01:12:31 A Time to Act: Cathay Decides to Intervene
01:18:30 The Journey West
01:24:10 First Contact: Sea Battle with the Norscans
01:29:33 The Grand Arrival in Marienburg
01:32:35 Final Thoughts & Review
01:43:27 Outro